Gaming Together

[Scarthian]

So bear with me as I go over my musing's of a mad man here it might end up long it might not kind of just going with it right now.

So over the past few weeks I have noticed a few different things either myself or brought up in discussion. One being activity in general, two a variety of games played, and three the falling by the wayside of the weekly scheduled gaming. First will be my thoughts on each subject then suggestions below.

Okay so first activity on this front I have noticed there is a difference of activity mainly between teamspeak and here on the forums. Now I admit I am far more active on TS than here but on TS there seems to be a core group as opposed to the more warm bodies on here. While I know there are various "reasons" folks don't want to get on TS I was hoping to bring more over to the darkside. The reason behind this is so that we as a group could play more games together. I know SC is what is bringing us together but it has been shown we do play many other games and it can be pretty fun together/ against each other. Whether it be carrying ya with the best Voli NA or going super black jedi murder fest it has been fairly amusing.

Second would be variety of games ranging from LoL, Battlefront, RO, APB and more. We play all types which I feel maybe folks don't think we do. I know we are all waiting for SC but in the meantime folks we or at least myself, play or am willing to try dang near anything out there. I can't promise being good at it but hell I am a gamer so let us get to gaming. Get to know the crazies you will be playing SC with and hell may even find one or two to future partners in one of you other favorite games.

Last of course is the weekly gaming deal which in my opinion is pretty fun and a good way to have a solid schedule on which people can hop on an play. I know we were hoping for the DFM but we all know that was pushed but even so I believe the last one before the previous one was over a month ago. I would like to get this up and going again. Even for those who aren't actively gaming and what not I think it provides at least a chance for everyone to get to know your buds in the org through these cool events.

Now for suggestions on my part in regards to the TS and what not I would say lets get some stickied post with the information under like General or something. As for you forum surfers come join us it is pretty fun and amusing trust me. Besides it gets too quiet at times and we need more fun times. The variety of games thing I feel like maybe we can get a main post going. Everyone toss in their multiplayer games. We get a solid list going and make it another main post. Now with that list we could have a rotating library for the weekly SSS. That way we have a stable set of games we rotate one perhaps even play multiple for the event each week. On top of this we could keep on the look out for free if not relatively cheap games ($5 max) that can be suggested. For those bros who want to hop on some gaming with us but can't really pick up the game at the time perhaps we could use a bit of the donations/ kindness of others to pick up a few extra copies of the cheap games to hand out. Maybe even hold a giveaway like Egriz for any left over copies or what not I am a big fan of giveaways (tend to give out games to streamers I enjoy watching to give out to their watchers often.)

Honestly so far the folks i've chatted with are pretty cool so I just want to bring more of us together for some games while we wait. Our main game may be SC but it won't be coming out for at least another year so lets play some other things in the mean time.

 

[JoeCool4433]

...and three the falling by the wayside of the weekly scheduled gaming.

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Last of course is the weekly gaming deal which in my opinion is pretty fun and a good way to have a solid schedule on which people can hop on an play. I know we were hoping for the DFM but we all know that was pushed but even so I believe the last one before the previous one was over a month ago. I would like to get this up and going again. Even for those who aren't actively gaming and what not I think it provides at least a chance for everyone to get to know your buds in the org through these cool events.

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Now for suggestions on my part in regards to the TS and what not I would say lets get some stickied post with the information under like General or something. As for you forum surfers come join us it is pretty fun and amusing trust me. Besides it gets too quiet at times and we need more fun times. The variety of games thing I feel like maybe we can get a main post going. Everyone toss in their multiplayer games. We get a solid list going and make it another main post. Now with that list we could have a rotating library for the weekly SSS. That way we have a stable set of games we rotate one perhaps even play multiple for the event each week. On top of this we could keep on the look out for free if not relatively cheap games ($5 max) that can be suggested. For those bros who want to hop on some gaming with us but can't really pick up the game at the time perhaps we could use a bit of the donations/ kindness of others to pick up a few extra copies of the cheap games to hand out. Maybe even hold a giveaway like Egriz for any left over copies or what not I am a big fan of giveaways (tend to give out games to streamers I enjoy watching to give out to their watchers often.)

The S.S.S. has been sparse these last few weeks due to not having anyone to properly run it at the moment. @Munken is our Game Master and he's been off in the army for a month or two now. I expect that he'll be done in the coming weeks as he only has about another 2-4 weeks left, AFAIK. Seung and I have sort of stood in place for him, but with Seung having finals and me having to work 6 days a week, its been hard for both of us to get things organized.

I definitely like your idea of a game rotation so that we can know ahead of time which game we all are going to play and can get it downloaded prior. I think the hardest is trying to get everyone to participate in a poll. I think that what we need to do is stick to f2p games or games that are cheap and then just put them into rotation. It would be too hard to try and get everyone polled to think think about which game and blah blah blah. If you know what you are going to play ahead of time, you can pick and choose which game you want to make it for and etc.

The only thing is that I would hate to get everything organized and then for all of us to be mind-numbing-ly glued to our rigs playing the DFM that any sort of rotation thing gets thrown out the window.

We actually have all of the information about TS and other links stickied here: http://testsquadron.com/index.php?threads/important-links.244/ I haven't updated it in a while, but its all there.

It would be awesome to have more people active playing games and etc., but as college finals wrap up and the weather gets nicer, activity may drop slightly. I know I will be out on my Harley a lot more just for a ride here or there if its nice out. Its not that I don't love you guys, but I love my hog a lot more :P

 

[Brosiedon]

As someone who has not yet ventured to the dark side and become very active, things like going on the team speak are actually quite intimidating.

Part of this comes from recently not having an abundance of free time- and I plan to become much more active in the near future- but it still isnt easy to throw your hat into the fray. The "core group" is also very welcoming and inviting to everyone, but seemingly remains a small part of the total members.

I think that with such an absolutely massive organization like this it's going to be very hard for people to break out of their shells, especially when it's very easy to get lost in the hundreds of people who don't say much.

A more attainable goal, I believe, is to figure out how to get every member of the community to at least be active in some respect(like forums and weekend game sessions), even if they don't break into the core, active leadership group.

 

[Scarthian]

I totally understand Brosiedon and I agree it can be intimidating but that is what I am trying to work against. We have a few members who get on TS who don't even speak and with only the occasional typing which is entirely cool. I know with so many folks in the organization it could seem daunting as well but to be honest right now TS numbers however around 5 - 15 any given time. So even if you don't want to be slammed by a bunch of people for the time being you won't. Also heck if you just want to pop into TS and not even talk that is fine too I am not trying to force people out of their comfort zone or anything.

What I am proposing is more along the line of that of gaming sessions and even just listening in on TS if you feel comfortable doing that. Say for example instead of playing TF2 with a bunch of randoms join up with a Test bro or two even if you aren't talking. Also even just listening in on TS would allow you to kind of get to know the personality behind the names. I know you are going to have a loud minority and silent majority or in other words the "Core group" and the "Quiet group" who prefer not to be so active vocally. I feel if folks at least listen in on TS they can to some extent get to know the core group and their personalities and what not. I know sometimes the core group and the quieter ones can tend to distance from each other which I prefer not to. Plus learning the different quirks of those may just bring about the ones you may be flying with more often or if your views align could be the voice of your particular interests. You know the guy or gal who speaks up for those quieter folks who may not want to cause any ripples or doesn't feel as comfortable voicing their opinions. Which I hope everyone feels they can do so themselves as we have a very open atmosphere going in my opinion but I understand there are folks who rather not. I guess I am just trying to say at least getting to know that core group and leadership helps make them seem more human and approachable in the future if there is any issues. Well I am also a sociable person so it is also for the selfish reason of getting to know my fellow TESTies and luring them into dying with me in and all games under the sun. Except for Wargame and Arma3 since all the "Core Group" play those two exclusively :p

I do agree with your point on getting people more active on at least the forums and weekend sessions. While I am in no way part of the leadership group I am hoping this thread could be a sounding board for ideas. Is there anything in particular you would like to see? Or even responses to my ideas such as the rotating multiple game schedule? I feel like it is a pretty solid idea that gives not only multiple choices during gaming sessions but a stable schedule that people can know ahead of time to see if they can join or not. I wish there was some like alert that could be set up when someone is up for even shorter gaming periods. Something like after you get out of work and you want to play a few games of something and it would pop up like a ping for possibly interested folks down for a few games.

 

[Shive]

I'd like to rationalize a little bit of that fear away then, if possible :p
I don't know if this is worth saying, but; we have absolutely no bullies on TeamSpeak. When I see a new member there I always greet them, and more than anything, I hope they are not scared away by my own retarded way of being :D And like Scarthian says, a lot of people are just sitting silently in the channel not saying anything, occasionally typing. NKato for instance is deaf, so he can't even hear us speak, but uses it as a chat.

I'm not you, and I'm not one of the hundreds of others in the organization, so I can only say what I think it's like and what I'd do.

I'd log in there, and have a look around. You might see lots of people in the channel, but chances are there's actually only 3-4 that's not afk. They may just be silent, they may be talking, or in some cases gaming. It's like conversating over a little cup of tea. If you don't have time, don't sweat it... If you have a spare 15minutes, you can drop by, say hi, hello and goodbye again, that's cool, maybe you'll come again soon for another 15minutes.

In regards to the high number of people in the organization, until I start seeing them communicate and/or participate in anything, it's like they're not even there. I don't mean this in a judgmental way, but more as a way of saying that right now, the organization isn't as big as it looks. People signed up for playing together, but far the most have yet to come join the feast.

The Core Group:
I'd probably dare say I'm part of the core group by now, but, it isn't one singular group. We don't share political views, nations, ethics nor games (except from star citizen). It's just some people who often gets on chat and ts.
There are people I socialize with more than others. It's not like we're not a family and you're the outsider. We're all different and often that's interesting. Scarthian talks about Arma3 and Wargame being played a lot. Hell, it's not even my game, I'm playing it with 4 others because these damned monkey people don't play the games I like to play! (LoL, Quake +20 other games anyone?) You can clearly see here that Scarthian has deemed us to be a bunch of arma3 and wargame nerds when in reality; it's just drannoc + dirtypaws that plays arma3, and drannoc + seung that plays wargame. I just bought wargame because I was bored to death even though I would never have thought about ever buying that game. I don't think I share a single video game with the people there except from Wargame and Civilisation V (which Lotheus was so nice to give me so we could play a SSS of civilisation together on a saturday)

Maybe the core group is currently a dynamic group that changes, splits into smaller ones, merges together again.
Some people were very active a few weeks ago and wont be coming back another few weeks perhaps. Nothing is really cut in stone here.
Hope to see you and a lot more people there! Would love more variety :)

 

[Scarthian]

Confirmed Shive is an Arma3/ Wargame nerd with the others mentioned truest words ever spoken. Besides that I for the most part agree I don't want anyone to feel scared in anyway. Join us just to listen in sometimes it's quiet other times its funny in the end though its all good fun. Also all of you people who join and then the moment I say hello you leave you are breaking my heart. I mean my voice isn't that intimidating is it!?

 

[Shive]

Your picture is :O /gasp

 

[Brosiedon]

I really like the idea of having an active community on team speak with a large amount of people, you could pop in whenever and hang out or game for a bit or do whatever.

And while I said it's 'intimidating' I think I'll be able to get over myself :P.

The real reason I haven't been active (and presumably others) is because of the recent pickup in school with finals and AP testing as well as upcoming playoffs. It should only be a week or two before some of us become more active.

 

[JoeCool4433]

Ahh you'll be just fine @Brosiedon. Just don't make eye contact with Shive. We're not really sure what happens when you do, but you might end up in a Russian gulag with no pants, a wicked sun burn, and missing a kidney.